YFM Equity Partners backs the £10m MBO of DSP Database Managed Services

YFM Equity Partners (“YFM”), the specialist private equity fund manager has backed the MBO of DSP Database Managed Services (“DSP”), a leading provider of database and data platform managed services.

Charlie Robinson and Ian Waterfield led the investment for YFM and this announcement marks the sixth investment from YFM’s Buyout Fund I.

One of the fastest growing implementation partners for Oracle Database Cloud, with a similar pedigree in Microsoft Azure, DSP is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Data Platform support & consulting services, whether on-premise, in-the-cloud or hybrid.

DSP prides itself on having world-class Oracle and Microsoft delivery teams that deliver innovative support, consultancy and managed cloud services to a wide range of mid-market and FTSE 100 clients, particularly those with mission-critical database architectures.

DSP was founded in 1999 and set out to become a trusted technology partner for companies who wanted to invest in Oracle and SQL Server technologies.  Since those early days the Company has evolved as client requirements, and technology, has changed. DSP now supports multi-vendor, cloud and hybrid database and application infrastructures around the clock, wherever in the world they may be.

In recent years DSP has delivered significant contract, revenue and profit growth, and the experienced management team led by CEO, Simon Goodenough, is now looking to invest further in sales, operations and service innovation to accelerate growth across all areas of the business.  John Hawkins will join the business as non-executive Chairman.

Charlie Robinson, Partner at YFM said: “DSP is exactly the type of business that we look to invest in; it has an excellent reputation in this industry and has delivered consistent growth over the last few years.  Its focus on enabling its customers to get the right solution among a myriad of technology and vendor options provides a positive backdrop for the Company to further develop its customer base and expand its service offering.

“This is the sixth investment from YFM’s Buyout Fund, which closed in April 2017 investing in well-established UK businesses and supporting management teams in delivering their ambitious growth plans.”

Simon Goodenough, CEO at DSP said: “DSP is seeing unprecedented levels of demand for its services, especially from organisations that are beginning to realise the strategic value of hybrid private and public cloud data platforms.  We are delighted with both YFM’s investment and the expertise the team will provide.  We are looking forward to working closely with YFM to enable us to deliver our growth plans and reach the Company’s true potential.”

DSP was advised by Paul Morris at BDO and Gavin Cummings and Paul McCannah of Browne Jacobson.  Legal advice to YFM was provided by Chris Reed at Gateley, financial due diligence was carried out by Ed Gray and Iain Battigan of PKF Cooper Parry, commercial due diligence by Tom Fletcher and Anthony Crutchett of CIL, and organisational due diligence by Anna Cornwallis of Stratton HR.  Santander Growth Capital team, led by Scott Douglas, provided debt finance.